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September 2005 Leaders e-Newsletter
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We’re faced with many challenges
and pulled in many directions. We have a ‘to do’ list
that resembles our grocery list and there is not enough time in
each day to accomplish those tasks. On top of homeschooling we
have to face other challenges and keep our group running in a
cohesive and uplifting manner. We sometimes have to make those
tough calls but in order to discern which direction we should
go we have to remember to involve our Leader in decision making.
If we don’t keep our priorities in order then we will loose
sight of the prize and the ultimate direction of our family and
group. God has to be the Head and lead us through each challenge
and victory!
During the start of the year we must be diligent and seek God’s
direction and guidance for each decision. When we feel the ‘heat’
of opposition we need to think of the story told in Daniel chapter
3--Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were delivered from their
fiery furnace when faced with opposition. They first sought
God’s leadership and they maintained the vision from Him.
He has to be the One to bless our efforts and keep us on the
right track. This month we’re going to see how some handle
the pressure and make it through those challenges and keep our
family priorities in line at the same time.
Is leading the group taking a toll on your emotions? When things
don’t work out as you’d hoped do you begin to well
up with anger? Tricia McQuarrie shares with us some of her own
struggles and a gentle nudge from the Lord, setting her back
on the path. Kim Wolf speaks to us about how our homeschool
groups should be a ministry to homeschool families. We should
allow our meetings to be a place to share “our experiences,
our triumphs, our joys and even our failures” and share
with new homeschool parents.
We also need to take the time to listen to our children and
allow them to learn but make it fun at the same time. Leading
your homeschool group takes time away from our families, so
we need to ensure our priorities at home are in line as well.
Charisa Knight from Virgina shares some insightful tips for
doing just that—taking time to play AND learn with our
children.
We would love to hear from you! If you have suggestions or
comments regarding our newsletter please send them to anissa@thehomeschoolmagazine.com.
If you’re facing a difficult situation or just have a
question regarding leadership, drop us a note and we’ll
ask our Leaders Helping Leaders Board. We’ve asked a group
of leadership advisors to assist and offer suggestions; they
have been in leadership positions for many years, faced challenging
issues so they have a wealth of knowledge to offer.
Our contest this month is an offer to the first 2 suggestions
for group winter activities and/or planning a graduation ceremony.
The winners will walk away with a $25 gift card from Amazon.com—just
in time for early Christmas shopping! Email your suggestions
to: anissa@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
and title your email “Winter Tips” or “Planning
a Graduation Ceremony.” We look forward to reading all
of the outstanding suggestions!
From God’s Word: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust
in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.
| Angry?
Maybe you are Suffering from too much Self-Promotion? |
| By Tricia McQuarrie |
Maybe some of you leaders out there can relate to the following
scenario. As spring was wrapping up and activities were
coming to a close for the year, I was well into my planning
for the next year. There were dates to secure with our regular
facilities, sports registration packets to compile, web
pages to update, e-loop calendar reminders to stop and re-schedule
for the fall, planning meeting agendas to compile and finally,
next years registrations and fees to collect all over again!
Throughout the summer I kept looking for a "break"
that never came. In the meantime, my husband ended up in
the hospital with a kidney stone, which resulted in a long
road to recovery that took the entire summer schedule and
just threw it out the window.
Now, all of this would have been doable if I didn’t
get angry. It didn’t take much. First, one by one,
the gals in our "Academy" began to share that
they would be unable to make our once a year planning meeting.
So, we decided to go without the meeting. Then, not a single
registration arrived by the deadline, which meant our insurance
check might need to come from my own wallet again. The final
straw was when the class schedule went unfilled and we were
only a few weeks from our start up date. A seed of frustration
began to grow and I was watering it with my thoughts daily.
These families were in summer mode but I was still waiting
for my "break."
We ended up having a meeting and at that gathering I shared
my frustrations, the good the bad and the ugly. The gals,
lovely dear hearts they are, all responded so wonderfully.
Volunteers picked up the slack and we made concrete changes
that should make next summer much smoother for us all. I
felt better but not 100%. My usual perky self was being
dragged down by my poor attitude.
You see, I had allowed a seed of discontent to grow in my
heart and I needed to take my anger before the Lord. After
I poured my heart out to him, He showed me that behind the
anger was a whole bunch of "me" blocking the way
to peace. I felt slighted, offended, wounded and taken advantage
of but I had done it ALL to myself! You see, I gave more
than I should have and I expected something greater in return.
I expected a place of honor and respect for my efforts.
Indeed, it had become all about ME!
In Mark 10 we see John and James allowing their thoughts
to drift towards their future fame for their earthly discipleship
position by vying for the special places of honor, at the
Lord’s right and left hand, in heaven. Is our goal
in homeschool ministry to be appreciated and "known"
or is it to become like Christ and be a servant? Are we
to be concerned with self-promotion or are we rightly focused
on being a support to the homeschool community around us?
Does our group have to be bigger, better and more exciting
than another for us to be satisfied? Such a heart does not
match up with the character of a follower of Christ. No
longer will I "give till it hurts." Instead I’ll
be making regular visits at the filling station by the Lord’s
feet to be sure that it hasn’t become all about my
own self-promotion.
About the Author: Tricia McQuarrie is the owner of the ClepPrep
website and the administrator
of a non-profit private school cooperative in New Jersey.
Recently she and her husband started a statewide sports
association for homeschooled teams. She enjoys sharing ideas
with other support group leaders and encouraging home-educators
to homeschool through high school. Tricia and her husband
Brian have five children and they live at the shore in southern
New Jersey.
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| Is Your Iron Getting
Rusty? |
| Kim Wolf |
| Prov. 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one
man [family] sharpens another.”
When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it
that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the
camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that
your child wasn’t a freak because he was having
trouble with his nine times-tables? Where was it that
you could count on someone with experience to be there
for you?
Does “support group” ring a bell to anyone?
I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are
going the way of snow in the summer-time…they seem
to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere. And
I say, “what a shame.”
It’s come to my attention that many of our precious
experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from
attending support group meetings. Do they feel that they
have out-grown them?
Look at it this way: if I take two pieces of rusty, dull
iron – I have two pieces of rusty, dull iron! But
if I rub them together something great happens; they start
to change. They become a little sharper, they become a
little brighter and shinier. They become something usable.
Iron can’t sharpen iron unless there is friction
between the two…they have to meet together.
As I asked you in the beginning, think about when you
were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn’t
catching on to a concept and, at your wit’s end,
you went to your homeschool support group and started
asking around for help. Lo and behold! There was a wonderful,
experienced mom there who had actually “been there,
done that”! You went home, tried her advice and
it worked!
Now…think of this: A new homeschool mom, full of
hopes and dreams and fears comes to your homeschool support
group. Her child just isn’t catching on to a concept
and she’s at her wit’s end; she’s come
to your support group and starts asking around for help.
Lo and behold! Does she find it from you…OR is this
one of those nights when you decided you just didn’t
want to go tonight? After all, you don’t really
“need” the group anymore.
Well, maybe it’s time for you to move into the
ministry season of homeschooling. Some new homeschool
mom may need the encouragement or experience that you’ve
gained from your years of homeschooling. We don’t
want these new homeschool moms to leave the meetings sad,
fearful and discouraged because the experienced moms aren’t
there to answer their questions and encourage them.
Isn’t it time for us to be there for a new generation
of homeschoolers? Isn’t it time for us to share
our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures
with the new crowd? Isn’t that part of our Titus
2 duty? Did the Lord really make you a part of your group
JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op
or field trips, find out about curriculum sales and legislative
updates? I don’t think so.
This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity
to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!
Let’s not be a part of the “me, me, me”
crowd…we’re past that. Let’s be the
Lord’s hands and feet and minister to our sisters
and their families and ease some of those fears and build
some dreams! After all, a long time ago someone cared
enough to be there for you. Now it’s your turn.
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The
Old Schoolhouse Magazine's
Homeschool Summer Bouquet
19 Total Gifts
An almost $300 Value
To the Next 5,000 New Subscribers
Postage Paid!
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The first 5,000 new subscribers will receive 19
free gifts from popular homeschool companies with
a paid two-year subscription to The
Old Schoolhouse Magazine! And yes, it's
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these gifts a $300 value.
Your NINETEEN free gifts
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You get ALL NINETEEN
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only to the first 5,000 respondents.
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
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product reviews abound, as do excellent columns
like Creation Answers with AiG's Ken Ham, Resource
Room for special needs homeschooling with Christine
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Tell – where readers share their own detailed
methods and curriculum choices. And don't forget
our lengthy Teachers' Lounge where homeschool parents
hang out and talk homeschooling! Jenefer Igarashi
chats each issue as well, and Dr. Ruth Beechick
drops in from time to time. Keep up with mainstream
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is "a homeschool
convention wrapped up in a journal!"
Already, packages are selling! Price for the two
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the 19 gifts! The companies will pay the shipping
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Call 1.888.718.HOME or
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card (phones ring frequently so if you don't get
a live operator, leave a voice mail message for
a call-back). $39 total.
Be within the first 5,000!
**This promotion is for new TOS subscribers, only.
For renewing subscribers, please check your renewal
notice to take advantage of special offer and/or
discount promotions for renewing subscribers during
that cycle. Support group leaders ONLY are permitted
to renew early and receive all 19 gifts since they
often represent/introduce new resources to homeschool
families. If you are a support group leader wanting
to renew, please indicate this on your order.
US Subscribers only. All 50
states.
*Further details: Here is
how the Summer Bouquet works. Purchase a two-year
subscription to TOS Magazine for $39. Only new subscribers
qualify for this promotion. Renewing subscribers
please check your renewal notifcation for special
offers and promotions on renewal subscriptions.
The 19 companies listed above have agreed to give
out (free and without condition) 5,000 total gifts.
The first 5,000 TWO-YEAR SUBSCRIBERS who respond
to this promotion with The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
will receive all 19 gifts, free and postage paid.
When TOS mails out the gift packages, inside will
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All 19 gifts are valued, with shipping and handling
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come, first served. Only one promo pack per family.
Cards may not be traded so that one family ends
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two $10.00 gift cards from Christian Book Distributors,
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although, they are welcome to share them with their
friends if they do not want all 19 gifts. Questions
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so) of the current promo. If this happens, you will
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about 2% will end up with about five or seven from
the above and 19 from the new. Phones ring off the
hook during "TOS Promo" time, so leave
a message. Someone will get back with you within
48 hours. Or, email publisher@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
-- The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Staff |
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| Back-to-School Made Easy for Homeschooling Victims
of Hurricane Katrina |
All Things in Common program from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
coordinates curriculum donations to homeschool families
in need.
Early in 2005, the staff of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
created “All Things in Common” (ATIC) as a way
for homeschool families to donate their curriculum to homeschool
families in need. The name came from the realization that
although homeschoolers come from many different walks of
life, they have one thing in common: they all want to provide
their children with the best education possible.
Since its inception, ATIC has been quietly providing curriculum
to families as they voiced needs. Now it stands ready to
serve the families whose homeschool resources have been
destroyed as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
Anissa DeGrasse, Coordinator for All Things in Common, states,
“We decided to become the middle man to connect homeschoolers
with curriculum just sitting on their bookshelves with people
who desire to homeschool, but just can’t afford the
materials.” Many more homeschooling families are unfortunately
facing this crisis in the wake of Hurricane Katrina so more
donations are needed. “It’s a very personal
way of being able to help these families rebuild their lives.
They’ve had to learn a lot of tough lessons, but we
want to have curriculum available for them when they’re
ready to hit the books again.”
Homeschoolers can contact The Old Schoolhouse with a list
of materials that they would be willing to donate in order
to be matched up with a family who can use those materials.
Once a match has been made, the family mails the materials
directly to the family in need of supplies and curriculum.
About The Old Schoolhouse Magazine: The Old Schoolhouse
Magazine is the highest quality homeschool magazine on the
market with approximately 200 pages per issue. The publication
is distributed across North America via newsstands and subscription;
international readers are serviced by volunteer coordinators
and subscription.
Contact:
Anissa
DeGrasse, ATIC Coordinator
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC
888-718-HOME
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
|
| "Where are we
going today, Mom?" |
| by Charisa Knight |
Do you ever get up in the morning and the first thing your
kids ask is, "Where are we going today?" Are they
shocked on those rare mornings when you say nowhere? Do
they ever ask you, "When are we going home so I can
play with my toys?"
To my chagrin, my children have asked both questions. It
is so easy to go after all of those 'good' things in life.
The great art programs, bible studies, sports, play dates,
field trips, music lessons, Cub Scouts, and so on. They
attract us to seemingly make our homeschooling and life
better. Somewhere along the way, they their lose blessing
on our lives and become a burden. The big question to the
homeschool mom--How much is too much?
It is very easy for me to over do it. Growing up, due to
finances and other difficulties, I didn't have the opportunity
to do a lot of things that I wanted to. No music lessons,
sports, play dates and other 'good things.' As a mom I want
to give my kids the opportunities that I didn't have and
enrich their lives. I want them to find their niche and
nurture their talents. I am finding out though that they
are missing something much more important.
As I grow in my homeschooling, I am discovering there can
be too much of a good thing. I am learning to listen to
my children. Are they frustrated and tired? Do they seem
overwhelmed? If so I need to pay attention. How can they
excel in one thing when I am bussing them around to ten
different ones? How can they sit down and read a good book
when time at home is spent doing have-to chores because
we have to leave again in an hour?
Looking back into my life, I may not have had all the programs
and opportunities that I wanted. But what did I have? I
had time to dig a hole all summer long to find that buried
treasure. I had the opportunity to build a fort in the overgrown
field next to our house and find a sock filled with buffalo
nickels. I made dances up to all of my favorite songs (I
still remember the one to Footloose!) Armed with as much
candy as possible, a friend and I would walk to the schoolyard,
sit under the huge pine trees and eat to our heart's delight.
I rode my bike up and down the alley way a thousand times.
I read and daydreamed to worlds I had never been. Did I
really miss out? Maybe on some things, but I gained much
more.
Let's make an effort to give our kids free time to just
be kids. Let them be the ones daydream occasionally. Give
them the time to explore and play. To be able to lie in
a backyard, look up at the clouds and guess what they are.
To build forts in the woods that they think an army couldn't
penetrate. Climbing trees that we wish they wouldn't. Looking
for 4-leaf clovers and being so excited when they find one!
Let's not make them grow up in such a hurry. From what I
have heard, it will happen soon enough.
About the Author: Charisa lives in the Shenandoah Valley
of Virginia where she homeschools 3 children from ages
5 to 9. Her favorite subject is science. She loves scrapbooking,
coffee and doing bible studies by Beth Moore.
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| Bulletin Board: |
Principium BPA Home Educators Network is clearinghouse
for homeschooling families using the Principle Approach
philosophy of education. Articles, resources and more give
those new to the BPA the help they need and established
families the support they desire. http://principiumpa.com |
| |
| SUPPORT GROUP LEADERS or LEADERS in the Christian
community (including speakers, authors, business
folks). Sign up for our support group leadership email newsletter.
This one is the "national conversation" happening
between leaders and other key players in the homeschooling
community. We need your input! Send a blank email to TOSHSN_Leadership_Group-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
to subscribe. |
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| HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES: Join our FREE e-newsletter
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Click here for more information: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/devotional_door/subscribe.php |
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| TOS has a NEW Topical Unit Study Enewsletter!
Yes, you read that right a FREE unit study each
month! With our This Month in History e-newsletter. Take
a look at this month’s activities: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/calendar/index.php.
For more information: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/devotional_door/subscribe.php |
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| Get great history-based activity ideas for your
family every month, FREE with our This Month in
History e-newsletter. Take a look at this month’s
activities: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/calendar/index.php.
For more information: http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/devotional_door/subscribe.php |
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| Like to Blog? Come on over to http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/portal.php
and join us! Don’t know what blogging is? Come
on in and take a look! We’d love to have you! |
| |
| Help us spread the word! TOS sponsors
a curriculum donation program called the All Things in Common
program or ATIC. We want to help fellow homeschoolers in
need, not just in the US but around the world! How can you
help? There are many families in need that could use the
curriculum or any homeschooling resources you might have.
Please post information about this program in your homeschool
newsletters and/or on your email groups. We are in need
of donations. If you know a family who could use curriculum
donations, they can send your list of needs to anissa@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
(donations can be mailed to this email address as well).
When a family expresses a need we will connect the two families
and allow them to work out shipment arrangements--donations
are not shipped to us. |
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| Thank you for being with us here at The Old Schoolhouse
this month. We’ll have more articles and leadership tips for
you next month. You may forward this enewsletter to your friends
in its entirety. If you have any comments email me at anissa@thehomeschoolmagazine.com
and don’t forget to visit our website to see the new summer
promotion and look for the summer issue of the magazine, in stores
and mailboxes now! Blessing to you! --from the TOS Staff! |
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The Old Schoolhouse Leaders e-Newsletter:
